Doc Rivers explains the comeback failure against the Raptors

The The Milwaukee Bucks played again without Giannis Antetokounmpoand the margin of error immediately decreased. They are playing their fifth straight game without their two-time MVP while recovering from a right calf strainThe Bucks entered the night knowing that late possessions would be more important than ever. However, that reality surfaced late. The Bucks fell 111–105 to the Toronto Raptors in a game defined by short runs and missed chances. Milwaukee cut the deficit to three in the fourth quarter, but never got any closer. Momentum hovered and then slipped. When Eric Nehm of the Athletics asked what kept the Bucks from turning into a lead, Doc Rivers offered a blunt breakdown.

“Both ends, really. After the first quarter, I thought defensively, we were pretty good, we held teams to 26 points, that’s something you can live with. I just thought we struggled to score all night. I didn’t think we were going to get a lot of turnovers. We were a little bit bothered by their turnovers. I thought we stagnated and didn’t make it.”

The night followed according to that scenario. The Bucks trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half before briefly finding a spark. Bobby Portis drilled a 3-pointer in the third quarter to give the Bucks a 59–57 lead. The building responded and the pressure felt real. Unfortunately, it didn’t last.

Familiar Bucks Pattern Without Giannis

Portis carried the load off the bench, finishing with 24 points and constant energy. Still, clean sheets were rare and second chances disappeared. Those problems reflect trends throughout the season. The Bucks rank 24th in points per game, 11th in assists and 30th in rebounding. They also rank in the bottom half of the league in steals and blocks, limiting easy drives and swings.

The Raptors shifted defensively, disrupted the flow and patiently shut down every Bucks run. The win lifted them to 17–11, good for #3 in the East. Milwaukee fell to 11–17, now No. 11, after losing 12 of their last 15 games.

While Rivers and the Bucks continue to battle, the answers are lacking. And until Giannis returns, the question becomes louder. How long can effort alone keep this season going?